Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left knee disability, PTSD, and sleep disorder were granted. The claim for PTSD was granted as the evidence showed current disability related to fear of hostile military activity. The rating for right tibia fracture remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his scar, right knee is denied as there is no evidence of five or more painful or unstable scars.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection claims related to right total knee arthroplasty, mechanical low back pain, DJD of the right hip, right ankle disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction (secondary to physical disabilities), and right shoulder strain (secondary to physical disabilities).

The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for joint pain, abnormal weight loss, eczema, left knee disability, and stomach condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for right shoulder, right knee, and muscle conditions before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the April 2018 examination report and the need to consider the Veteran's entitlement to an extraschedular rating.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, low back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the right leg as these conditions are not shown to be causally related to military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left thigh conditions, as well as their impact on his daily activities. The claims for increased ratings are being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disability are all granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received from his reserve service. The conditions include a right hand disorder, chronic upper respiratory disorders, TMJ disorder, intestinal disorder, and bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee degenerative arthritis due to incomplete records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and he is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left and right knee conditions, as well as her hip bursitis are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board has found that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s disabilities. However, additional evidence suggests a worsening of these conditions since the last examinations in August 2014. Therefore, the claims must be remanded for new evaluations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives. The Veteran's character of discharge from military service is being reviewed, but no service connection claims are decided as the appeal does not involve a determination on service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral below-the-knee amputations are being remanded for further review due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for an addendum opinion regarding causation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's knee or back conditions are related to service, including his in-service injuries. The issues are intertwined due to overlapping evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran currently has a right knee disability and if so, whether it is related to service. The Veteran's in-service complaints of knee pain are noted, as well as his current diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence for right knee surgery is denied as it was not service-connected at the time of the surgery. The Board also found that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran should be granted a higher rating for his right knee disability.